Package insertion method and apparatus



Oct. 1, 1963 M. L. DESNICK 3,105,333

7 PACKAGE INSERTION METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. MfiA/DEZ A. DESiv/CK Qwmf 14 TTORIVEYSl Oct. 1, 1963 M. L. DESNICK PACKAGE INSERTION METHOD AND APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 16, 1961 INVENTOR. Mamas; LDEsw/ck Oct. 1, 1963 M. 1.. DESNICK 3,105,333

PACKAGE INSERTION METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1961 6 Sheets-Ernest 3 INVENTOR.

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Oct. 1, 1963 M. L. DESNICK 3,105,333

PACKAGE INSERTION METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV EN TOR. Mama LDesmc/c Arron/45:

Och 1963 M. L. DESNICK PACKAGE INSERTION METHODAND APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 16, 1961 INVENTOR. M402 4 4. D Es/wcx 14 n'omvsrs Oct. 1, 1963 M. L. DESNICK 4 3,105,333

PACKAGE INSERTION METHOD AND APPARATUS V Filed Jan. 16, 1961 e Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. Mad/0:4 Z DESM/Ck x BY wiwl

Arrow/sh United States Patent 3,105,333 PACKAGE msnnrrora METi-IGD Ann APPARATUS Mandel i... Desnic 254%} Monterey Ave. 8., Minneapolis, Minn. Filed .ian. 16, 195i, Ser. No. 82,873 23 Claims. ({Jl. 53-24) This invention relates generally to the field of article packaging and is more directly related to the art of assembling and depositing a plurality of articles into a bag or bale.

In the manufacturing and distribution of certain articles and commodities of commerce, it has been determined desirable to assemble a number of such articles of any given size into a contiguous assemblage which may then be transferred to the location of ul imate distribution to the ultimate user. For example, a commodity such as sugar has certain fiuid characteristics and, when packaged in a deformable container, presents many problems in handling for distribution to locations at which the articles are dispensed as single units. Not only is it not economical to handle the smaller articles and sizes, but bulk shipment of a number of these articles has, in the past, resulted in a high rate of spoilage of the contents due to breakage and other damage to the individual articles. By assembling these articles and placing them in, for instance, a bale comprised of a material resistant to damage from ordinary handling these articles may be safely transported.

The prior art contains numerous examples of attempts and approaches for assembling a plurality of articles and placing them in a container such as a bale or bag. 'One example, positions a bale on a horizontal surface and rams or pushes successive articles into the bale after which it must be sealed and further handled which requires, among other things, a change from the generally horizontal loading position to a general vertical sealing and materials handling position. The last example is generally not capable of handling deformable articles. Another example, has utilized gravitational forces for loading a bale or bag and consists of a means for holding the mouth of a bale or bag open and placing the bale in a generally vertical attitude and conveying articles to be placed therein onto a trap door arrangement positioned above the bale and subsequently allowing the articles to fall free into the bale. This operation is successively repeated until the bale is full after which it may be further processed. it is apparent that this last named apparatus may result in a high rate of breakage and certainly is not practical where layers containing more than one article are to be formed.

The present invention provides a versatile and unique method and apparatus for accumulating a contiguous assemblage of articles and thereupon gently lowering the assemblage into a bale or bag securely positioned therebelow. It is manifest that articles of different sizes and shapes may easily be accommodated. The assemblage is of a size substantially the same as that of the bale and will therefore provide a desirable close-fitting relationship between the bale and the assemblage. It further provides an automatic control system for assembling and filling the bale which may be utilized with a minimum of attention from a human operator.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved method of assembling articles into a contiguous unit and thereupon depositing the same in a container with a minimum of damage to the articles themselves and to provide the proper density and intimate contact consistent with the characteristics of the container.

It is another object of this invention to provide appara-tus which more efiiciently accomplishes the purpose of this invention in a new and useful manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide an auto- "ice matic control system for use in container, bale filling or loading apparatus which requires the minimum of attention and intervention by a human operator.

It is a further object of this invention to provide novel apparatus for holding and accumulating a contiguous assemblage of articles to be positioned or inserted into a container therefor.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an extremely versatile article handling apparatus which is readily adaptable to the handling of various sizes and shapes of articles to be assembled.

Another object of this invention is to provide article handling and assembling apparatus which provides contiguous assemblage of articles commensurate with the size and shape of a container to be filled so that the structural characteristics of the container are utilized to their full extent.

These and other more detailed and specific objects will be disclosed in the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- FIG. 1 is a front elevational drawing of one embodiment of a machine for carrying out the principles and objects of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial front elevation taken along the section lines 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end elevation taken along the section lines 24 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of one of the article accumulating assemblage.

FIG. 6 is a side View of the assemblage shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a further embodiment of the means utilized for holding an assemblage of articles.

FIG. 9 is a functional schematic diagram showing the control system for the apparatus shown in this embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9A is a further embodiment of a portion of the apparatus utilized in the control of the machine.

Briefly my invention includes a frame member iii which is mounted upon a plurality of legs 23 and which has in turn mounted upon it, a pair of longitudinally extending subframe members 13 and 14- which are adjustably mounted to be movable with respect to one another. Mounted upon each of the subframes 13 and 14 are a pair of endless conveyor assemblies adapted to engage the ends of articles to be accumulated between a pair of vertically movable members and 120, which are controlled in a manner so as to receive a predetermined number of articles conveyed therebetween and be successively moved in a downward direction so as to accumulate a contiguous assemblage of articles and thereupon deposit the assemblage into a bale or bag 31 removably mounted therebelow. Upon the deposition of the assemblage of articles the increased weight of the bale is sufficient to disengage it from the apparatus. The loaded bale or bag becomes positioned on a further conveyor assembly 30 for subsequent sealing and handling operations (not shown).

In the above and following detailed description of my invention like reference characters have been applied to like elements wherever possible so as to facilitate a fast comprehension and understanding of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, frame 10 has positioned at each end adjusting members 11 and 12 which may be utilized to coact with subframe members 13 and 14 to provide relative motion of the subframe members so that articles of differing sizes may be accommodated in using the apparatus. The details of connecting the adjusting members 11 and 12 to subframes 13 and 14 for suitable adjustment about the center of recip- 3 rocating member 72 have been omitted for clarity and it is assumed that one skilled in the art may select any one of a number of mechanisms for accomplishing this result.

Subframe member 13 has mounted thereon at its righthand end, a conveyor assembly comprised of a pair of driving drums 15 and 16 between which are stretched a pair of endless conveyor belts 17. A vertically extending frame member 80 is utilized to hold the assembly in operating position and is securely affixed to subframe 13 by suitable means. Drum 16 may be driven from the output of pneumatic clutch assembly which provides a driving connection between input gear member 24 and output shaft 2115 upon the application of a suitable signal through conduit 26. Input gear 24 is connected to a continuously energized motor 21 through a chain 23 and gear reduction assembly 22. The driving connection between shaft 205 and drum 16 may be a conventional right-angled driving connection (not shown) which provides the necessary slidable driving connection with shaft 205.

A pair of members 141 are suitably attached to subframe 13 for holding and guiding a vertically movable side plate member 111 which may be positioned in accordance with the output of a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 91). Pneumatic cylinder 90 is also mounted upon subframe 13 in a vertically upwardly extending direction and includes a piston member 113 which is securely afflxed to a pair of cables 93 which extend over upper pulley 91 and lower pulley 92 and are securely connected to a mounting bracket 95 positioned on a further member 94 in turn connected to side member 110.

Side member 110 includes, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a deformable article engaging and holding member 115 which may be suitably withdrawn out of article engaging position into a cavity 183 by movement of operating members 111 and which are securely fastened to member 115 at their lower extremities and contain an operator member 112 fastened therebetween at the upper extremities. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 suitable movement of the members 111 serves to provide article engaging or disengaging position of member 115. Adjustably mounted upon the body of the fluid actuated cylinder 90 are a pair of members 118 and 119 which are positioned and shaped to coact with member 112 which in turn controls the relative positions of members 111 to extend or retract article holding element 115.

Mounted upon the lower end of the fluid cylinder mounting bracket is a looking or brake assembly 220 which is operable upon application of a suitable signal through conduit 222 to frictionally engage the side of member 110 to prevent undesired downward motion.

Depending downwardly from the inside center portion of subframe 13 is a bale engaging and holding member 34 which is suitably dimensioned at its lower extremity to hold a bale or bag 31. A further member 32 is slidably connected to a cross member 59 which is movable longitudinally to position member 32 in bale holding and engaging relationship. Member 32 is further slidably mounted upon member 141 connected to subframe 13 for longitudinal movement with respect thereto. Lateral movement of subframe 13 causes simultaneous lateral movement of members 32 and 34 and member 32 may be further longitudinally positioned between bag engaging and holding position and a retracted position wherein a bag may be easily positioned around the outside extremities of members 32 and 34.

Subframe member 14 has mounted thereon apparatus substantially similar to that of subframe 13. A vertically mounted conveyor apparatus, including drums 18 and 19 and endless belts 17, is positioned at the right-hand end of subframe 14. A frame member 81 is utilized to hold and position the upper ends of drums 18 and 19. Drum 18 may be driven from shaft 205 through suitable driving means, the input of which is adapted to be slidably mounted upon shaft 265. The duplicate driving means utilized for conveyor drums 16 and 13 to drive the endless belts 17 provides motion thereof at substantially the same speed. Also mounted upon subframe 14 are a pair of bracket members 150 which serve to hold and guide the vertically movable side member 129. A further bracket is utilized to support the vertically mounted fluid actuated cylinder 1% which contains a double-acting piston connected to cable members 103. One of the members extends over the pulley 101 mounted at the top of cylinder 1% and the other of the members extends over the pulley member 192 mounted at the bottom of cylinder 109. The ends of the members are suitably connected to a bracket which is in turn securely affixed to member 194 that is attached to side member 120 .for providing a driving connection thereto. A spacing member 97 is positioned between members 94 and 194 to tend to maintain a uniform vertical relationship between side plates 110 and 1211. Cam actuator 1% is mounted upon member 104 in a location that will project into an area in which actuating members for fluid valve mechanisms may be positioned. Mounted in parallel relationship with cylinder 1190 is a member upon which are adjustably mounted fluid valves 131, 132 and 134. These valves each have actuators which may be engaged by member 1% during a cycle of operation of the apparatus. Adjustably mounted upon cylinder 1% are a pair of bracket members 128 and 129 which serve to coact with,member 122 in turn connected to actuating members 121 for retracting. and extending article engaging member 125 provided at the lower end of side plate member 120.

A plurality of fluid valve members 48 and 54, and fluid cylinder 44 are mounted upon brackets secured to a vertically extending member 41 for coaction and operation by the right-angled lever member 58 which is adapted to pivot about a pin 199. Member 41 is mounted upon movable members 59 through the use of bracket members 360. Movable members 59 are actuated through the use of handwheel 57 attached to adjusting screw 58A which extends through a threaded member that is rigidly attached to frame 10. Rotation of handwheel 57 therefore provides movement of member 41 along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. Lever member 58 has mounted thereon a plurality of spring loaded members 43 and 46 which are adapted to coact with the valve actuators for valves 54 and 43 respectively. A fluid operated cylinder 44 is mounted below the horizontally extending portion of lever 58 in a position to coact with member 45 for purposes to be explained below. Lever member 58 is biased for counterclockwise rotation about pin by spring member 341.

Bag engaging members 32 and 33 are movable longitudinally along members 141 and 151 mounted for movement with subframe members 13 and 14 respectively. Fluid cylinder 191 depends horizontally from a bracket member attached to the lower end of the longitudinally adjustable members 59. The piston or output member of fluid cylinder :19]. is in turn connected to the cross member '459 upon which are slidably mounted members 61 and 60 in turn connected to bag engaging and holding members 33' and 32 respectively. Longitudinal movement of cross member 459 serves to extend and retract bag holding members 32 and 33 into and out of bag holding engagement with a bale or bag positioned thereon.

A further reciprocable sliding member '72 is mounted for movement below conveyor floor 71 and is operable to extend into the area between side plate members '110 and 120. Member 72 is operated in accordance with the position of the piston in double-acting fluid cylinder 195. The piston is connected to cable members 197 which extend around pulley members 196 and 198 mounted at opposite ends of fluid cylinder 195. The ends of the cables are securely aflixed to a bracket member 2113 which in turn is connected to member 72. Also mounted upon bracket member 263 are a pair of valve actuating members 261 and 202 which are positioned to coact with the valve actuators on valves 199 and 2% when member 72 is in the right-hand retracted position.

FIGS. 5 and 6 also show a plurality of rib-like members 139 positioned at suitable intervals laterally of the article holding and engaging surface of side plate men ber 1119. It is contemplated that corresponding members may be attached to side plate member 126.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a further embodiment in which a pneumatically operated article engaging and holding member is provided. This is illustrated by the inflatable rubber-like boot which may be in fluid communication With suitably controlled fluid power means through a conduit 371. In this embodiment, when the apparatus is accumulating an assemblage of articles 70, the members 181 would be inflated to extend into the area between side plate members 116 and 12%) to thereby engage and hold the articles therein. in some applications, a plurality of complementary positioned boots may be utilized to engage and hold the articles in the contiguous assemblage. For example, inflatable boots may be mounted in a manner similar to the ribs shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and sequentially energized as they are engaged by articles to aid in holding the assemblage and also to tend to compress the articles laterally of the assemblage. Further, longitudinally mounted boo-ts may also be used and may be sequentially energized as the assemblage is completed.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a functional schematic diagram of a control system including suitable apparatus for illustrating the operation thereof, is shown. Pneurnatic cylinder 1% is connected to the output of a four-way valve member 43 through fluid conduits 126 and 127 that include suitable connections to fluid cylinder flit through fluid conduits 116 and 1.17. A pair of exhaust ports on valve 4-8 are connected to the atmosphere through fluid conduit 52., a restriction 319, fluid conduit 318 and normally closed valve 299. A parallel connection from fluid conduit 52 though fluid conduit 321 and normally closed pilot operated valve 314 is also provided. An input supply port on valve 43 is connected to a source of fluid supply through fluid conduit 53, restriction 321 and normally closed pilot operated valve 315 to a common source of fluid under pressure. A funther parallel connection to the common source of fluid under pressure is connected to conduit 53 through conduit 322 and normally closed pilot operated valve 316. Valve 43 may be of the type generally known in the art which has a center, or neutral position when all of its inlet and outlet ports are closed. A flow control valve 3% is connected intermediate one of the output ports and the top port on fluid cylinder 1% and is adapted to provide a restricted flow of fluid in the direction of the arrow and unrestricted flow of fluid in the opposite direction. A like valve is provided in a connection to the top pont of cylinder 99. Four-way valve 48 also has positioned at its upper end a singleacting cylinder 420 that is connected to normally closed valve 133 through conduit 49. four-way valve 43 may also be operated in accordance with the position of the horizontal extending portion of lever member 53 through spring loaded actuator 46 to provide upward and downward movement of the piston member in fluid cylinder 1% in response thereto.

Pilot operated valve 313 is operable in response to the engagement of member 72 with valve actuator 231 on valve 199 which serves to connect the pilot mechanism in valve 315 to the source of fluid under pressure through conduit 317. Normally closed valve 133 includes an actuator adapted to coact with the cam 106 mounted upon side plate member 121 and the output thereof is also connected to the pilot actuating mechanism on valve 316 through a check valve 319, adapted to allow flow in a direction of the arrow, conduit 332 and conduit 311.

The output thereof is also connected to a pilot mechanism on valve 314 through conduit 313 and to single-acting cylinder member 44 through conduit 395 connected to conduit 312. Normally closed valve 132 also includes an actuator adapted to coact with cam member 106 and is operable to cormect the source of fluid under pressure through conduit 39%, valve 132 to conduit 311 which in turn is connected to the pilot mechanism on valves 314 and 316 and to single-acting fluid cylinder '44. Normally closed valve members 334) and 331 are provided with a member 131 connected to provide common actuation upon engagement by cam member 106. Valve 331 is adapted to provide a connection of conduit 311 to the atmosphere, indicated by the reference character x, through conduit 332 and conduit 339. This in turn connects the pilot mechanism on valves 314 and 316, single-acting cylinder 4d and pilot mechanism 42% to the atmosphere. Valve 33%? serves to provide a connection from the source of fluid under pressure through conduit 367, valve 339, to conduit 3% connected to the normally open pilot operated valve 192. Valve 192 also provides a connection to the atmosphere and is in turn connected to the left-hand port on fluid cylinder 19 1 through a restriction 335 and conduit 193. Double-acting fluid cylinder 191 also contains an input port at its right end that is connected to a source of fluid, indicated by reference characters RS of regulated character (not shown), through valve 36 and conduit 37. Conduit 37 is also connected to the pilot mechanism on valve 192 and to a funther valve 302 through hree-way valve means 38 and conduit 49. Normally closed valve member 36 is provided wtih an actuator adapted to coact with a lever means 212 mounted upon bag holding and engaging member 33. Normally open pilot operated valve 302 is in turn connected to the pilot mechanism of a normally closed pilot valve 36% through conduit 3431. Valve 3% provides connection of single-acting braking cylinder 22% and pneumatic clutching member 23 to the atmosphere, x, or to the source of fluid under pressure through conduit 26. Single-acting fluid operated cylinder 22%? may be of the spring return type and includes an actuator member 223 adapted to frictionally engage the side plate member. The pilot mechanism on valve 362 is connected to the source of fluid under pressure through conduit 55 and normally closed valve member 54-. Conduit 55 is also connected to a three-way valve member 21th through conduit 303. Valve member 54- is operable through its actuator adapted to engage with the spring loaded member 43 mounted on the horizontally extending portion of lever arm 58. Valve member 21% is connected to a pilot operating mechanism on pilot operated four-way valve 336 and conduit 211. Valve member 219 is also connected to the source of fluid under pressure. Valve 336 is provided with suitable connections to the atmosphere and the source of fluid under pressure and contains a pair of output ports connected to control the operation of fluid cylinder 195 through conduits 337 and 338. Valve 336 also includes a single-acting cylinder 41% connected to the spool member of valve The single-acting cylinder is connected to a regulated source of fluid under pressure (not shown).

It may be apparent to one skilled in the art that the essence of the above described control system is in the novel function provided and that suitable modifications thereof may be utilized to provide a control system utilizing other forms of energy for operation thereof. The embodiment shown may be utilized to provide a degree of versatility for applications of the apparatus in locations wherein an explosive atmosphere may be present as well as in a host of other applications.

Operation While FIG. 9 shows the apparatus in an intermediate state of one cycle of operation the description of such a cycle will, of necessity, start With the side plate members 119 and 12% at their initial article accumulating position.

In this position, cam member 196 on side plate member 129 engages the actuator means 131 to actuate valves 330 and 331 which in turn connects the source of fluid under pressure to valve 192 and provides a connection to the atmosphere for the pilot mechanism on valve 314 and 316, for single-acting fluid cylinder 44 and the singleacting fluid cylinder 42% mounted on the top of four-way valve 48. The lever actuator 58 will assume a position such that its vertically extending portion extends forwardly toward the right of member 41 upon which it is mounted. This is due to the biasing force in counterclocrwise direction provided by spring means 341 connected to base 342. The actuator on valve 54 is extended and since valve 54 is closed when its actuator is fully extended, valve 302 is open and the pilot mechanism of valve 336 is connected to the atmosphere x through closed valve 54. Single-acting cylinder 411) positions the spool in four-way valve 336 to energize fluid cylinder 195 so as to cause member 72 to move to the left and extend into the area between side plate members 11d and 12%). Valve 33% serves to connect the source of fluid under pressure to valve 192 which in turn supplies fluid to the left hand side of double-acting fluid cylinder 191 through the restriction 335. The placement of a bag or bale around the bale holding members 32, 33, 3d and 35 includes 7 actuation of valve member 36 by member 2 12 to connect the right-hand port of double-acting fluid cylinder 191 to a source of regulated fluid supply. The pressure or" the regulated fluid supply relative to the pressure supplied to the left-hand port of cylinder 191 is great enough to cause movement of the piston and actuator or" fluid cylinder 191 to the left to cause holding engagement of the bag or bale which continues to exert a force upon the actuator 212 to maintain valve 36 in an open condition. Simultaneous with the application of the regulated fluid to fluid cylinder 191, it is applied to the input of manual valve 38 and to the pilot mechanism of valve 192. Actuation of the valve 12 serves to provide a connection between the left-hand port of fluid cylinder 19-1 and the atmosphere. When manual valve 38 is iri an open condition, the source of regulated fluid is applied to valve 3432 which is open due to the connection of its pilot mechanism to the atmosphere through valve 54, therefore the source of fluid pressure is applied to the pilot mechanism of valve 3% which is thereby actuated to connect singleacting cylinder 226 and pneumatic clutch member to the source of fluid under pressure. This serves to connect the conveyor apparatus \to the output of electric motor 21 and also provides frictional engagement of the side plate member to prevent undesirable downward motion. It may be noted that at this time valves 314, 315, 316, 199 and 200 are closed thereby preventing operation of the fluid cylinders 90 and 1%.

The conveyor means conveys a plurality of articles 350 into the area between the side plate members 115} and 120. Upon engagement of the left-hand end of the leading article with the downwardly extending portion of lever 58, the clockwise rotation of lever 53 about pin 19!) causes actuation of valve member 54 to open it just prior to movement of the actuator and spool of the four-way valve 48 in a direction to cause downward movement of side plates 11% and 121?. The opening of valve 54 energizes the pilot mechanisms of valves 3192 and 336. The force exerted by the pilot mechanism on valve 336 serves to position its spool to cause movement of member 72 to its right-hand retracted position to engage and actuate valves 199 and 2013. The closing of valve member 302 serves to de-energize the pilot mechanism of valve 3011 and valve 361 assumes a position that serves to connect single-acting cylinder 22%) and clutch mechanism 225 to the atmosphere to cause simultaneous de-energization of the conveyor apparatus and removal of the actuator 223 from frictional engagement with side plate 120.

The actuation of valve 199 serves to connect the pilot mechanism on valve 313 to the source of fluid. The actuation of valve 315 serves to connect the source of fluid under pressure through restriction 321 to four-way valve 4-3. Likewise the actuation of valve 2% serves to connect the output ports 52 of four-way valve 48 to the atmosphere through a restriction 319. The positioning of the spool in four-way valve 48 through engagement with member 45 on the horizontal portion of lever 58 serves to energize cylinders and so as to cause down- Ward movement. The downward movement or lowering of the side plate members 119 and 1219 continues until lever arm 58 is disengaged from the top left-hand edge of the articles positioned in the area between the side plate members at which time the lever moves in a countercloclrwise direction under the biasing provided by spring member 341.

Single-acting fluid cylinder 44 may serve as a stop to limit the counterclockwise motion of lever arm 58 since the biasing force of member 341 may move lever 58 far enough in a counterclockwise direction to cause upward movement of the side plate members. The above sequence of operation is thereafiter repeated a number of times corresponding to the s'm of the assemblage desired. The vertical size of the assemblage is determined by the relative vertical position of valve member 132 which is adjustably mounted upon vertically disposed member 134}.

The above constitutes the accumulating and assembling portion of the cycle of the operation. At this point, a plurality of articles of a size and shape substantially that of the container to be filled is assembled between side plate members 119 and 120. The rib-like members 180 may be used to maintain the contiguous assemblage of articles and as may be noted on FIG. 6, are constructed with a shape that tends to resist upward movement of the articles with respect to the side plate members but may be easily moved past the assemblage of articles when it is released by withdrawing the holding means, or members and 125.

When valve 132 is actuated by cam member 1% to its open position, fluid is supplied to the pilot mechanism of valves 314 and 316 to increase the capacity of the connection of the exhaust ports to the atmosphere, and to increase the supply of fluid under pressure to the supply port of four-Way valve 48. Simultaneously the supply of fluid under pressure is applied to single-acting fluid cylinder 44 which moves lever 58 in a clockwise direction to fully open four-way valve 48 and apply increased pressure and fluid to cylinders 90 and 160 to cause side plate members 114 and 120 to move rapidly toward the bottom of the container or bale to be filled. Upon reaching the bottom of the container two actions take place; first, the members 112 and 122, connected to further members 111 and 121 on side plate members 11s and 125 respectively, engage the projecting portion of members 119' and 129 adjustably mounted on fluid cylinders 90 and 1% to retract the holding and engaging members 115 and 125 and release the assemblage from the area between the side plate members; and, second, the cam member 196 engages the actuator on valve 133 to supply fluid from the fluid source to the single-acting pilot cylinder 42%, positioned on the top end of four-way valve 48, and to supply such fluid under pressure to the pilot mechanisms of valves 314 and 316 to maintain them in their open position. Although not clearly shown in the drawing, the relative size of the single-acting fluid cylinder 42 .1, positioned to move the spool of four-way valve 43, and the single-acting fluid cylinder 44, to provide movement of lever arm 58 in a clockwise direction, are such that simultaneous application of fluid under pressure from a common source will provide operation whereby the force exerted by the fluid cylinder on the four-way valve 48 is sulficient to overcome the force provided by the fluid cylinder 44. This, of course, results in a reversal of operation and movement of the side plate members 116 and 129 upwardly to the initial position of engagement S? of actuator 131 by cam 11%. Upon approaching the raised initial position, engagement of members 112 and 122 with the adjustable bracket members 113 and 123 serves to extend holding and engaging members 115 and 125 to the article engaging position.

When the articles are released, substantially at the bottom of the container 31, the weight is sufficient to disengage the container from the holding elements 32, '33, 34 and 35 thereby releasing valve actuator valve member 212 and allowing fluid pressure to move holding members 32 and 33 to the right to enable a further container to be applied thereto and another cycle initiated.

FIG. 9A is illustrative of a further embodiment in which the level of the top articles in the area between the side plate members 11?) and 112 may be automatically controlled to a predetermined position dependent upon the engagement of the portion of the downwardly depending segment of lever 53 designated by reference character all with the top of said articles. When the article 35% has been positioned against the member 41 to move lever 53 to its extreme clockwise position, a lowering of the assembly including side plate members 11 and 120 is effected at the controlled rate as determined by the restrictions in the source of fluid supply and exhaust conduits. The lowering continues until the upper left-hand corner or" the article reaches the portion 411 of lever 58. Should the lowering process continue, for any reason, lever arm 58 continues a counterclockwise movement causing reverse operation to raise the assembly so as to seek the desired level. it may be noted that this modification includes the addition of a cam member 361 that closes valve 54 until the desired level is reached so as to prevent extension of member 72 and energization of the conveyor apparatus. In this embodiment, the actuator of member 44 is designed to allow sulficient downward movement of the lever arm 53 to allow reverse operation of the four-way control valve 4 A suitable spring biased element 45' may be used for this purpose.

It may be noted that the relative spacing between the vertical conveyor members in FIG. 2 may be adjusted to be more or less than the spacing between the side plate members 110 and 2 In handling certain types of articles characterized by extreme fluidity of the material in a deformable container it is desirable to compress the article to a greater extent to enhance the holding properties of the side plate members.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope or" the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. Bale loading apparatus, comprising; means holding a bale in article receiving position so that the opening of said bale is substantially in a horizontal plane; means vertically movable into and out of said bale, for accumulating and holding two sides of a contiguous multilayered assemblage of articles, said means including releasable means for engaging the two sides of said assemblage, said assemblage being of substantially the size and capacity of said bale; and control means responsive to the presence of said assemblage to lower said means and said assemblage into said bale said control means also being operative to release said assemblage of articles upon the bottom of said means reaching substantially the bottom of said bale and thereafter to Withdraw said means.

2. Bale loading apparatus, comprising; means holding a bale in article receiving position so that the opening of said bale is substantially in a horizontal plane; means, vertically movable into and out of said bale, for accumulating and holding a contiguous multilayered assemblage of articles, said assemblage being of substantially the size of said opening and shape and capacity of said bale; a source of articles to be loaded and conveyor means therefor; said conveyor means being operative to directly =con vey said articles into said accumulating and holding means; means operative to alternately provide operation of said conveyor means and lowerinof said accumulating and holding means to successively lower positions; and control means res onsive to the presence of said assemblage to lower said means and said assemblage intosaid bale said control means also being operative to release said assemblage of articles upon the bottom of said means reaching substantially the bottom of said bale and thercafiter to withdraw said means to an initial accumulating and holding position.

3. Bale loading apparatus, comprising; means holding a bale in article receiving position so that the opening of said bale is substantially in a horizontal plane; means vertically movable into and out of said bale, for accumulating and holding the bottom of a multilayered contiguous assemblage of deformable articles, said assemblage being of substantially the size of said opening and shape and capacity of said bale; and control means responsive to the presence of said assemblage to lower said means and said assemblage into said bale, said control means also being operative to release said assemblage of articles upon the bottom of said means reaching substantially the bottom of said bale so that said assemblage expands to fill said bale and thereafter to withdraw said means to accumulating and holding position.

4. Control apparatus comprising; a vertically positioned article assembling means; conveyor means for conveying a plurali y of articles into said article assembling means; means initially positioning the lower end of said article assembling means into article receiving relationship with said conveyor means and energizing said conveyor means to convey articles onto said article assembling means; means responsive to the positioning of at least one of said articles on said assembling means for de-energizing said conveyor means and simultaneously lowering said article assembling means; and position responsive means for s p ing said article assembling means and re-energizing said conveyor means after said article assembling means has moved a predetermined distance.

5. Control apparatus comprising; a vertically movable article assembling and holding means; conveyor means for conveying a plurality of articles into said article assembling means; means initially positioning the lower end of said article assembling means into article receiving relationship with sad conveyor means and energizing said conveyor means to convey articles onto said article assembling means; means responsive to the positioning of at least one of said articles on said assembling means for de-ener- ,gizing said conveyor means and simultaneously lowering said article assembling means; means responsive to the position of said assembling means for stopping said article assembling means and i e-energizing said conveyor means after said mticle assembling means has moved a predetermined distance; further means for moving said article assembling means to a predetermined discharging position; means thereafter releasing and discharging the articles contained by said article assembling and holding means; and further means raising said article assembling and holding means so that the lower end is placed in article receiving relationship with said conveyor means.

6. In apparatus of the class above described, the combination comprising; means for securely holding a bale to be filled with a plurality of deformable articles; movable means positioned above said last named means for lowering a plurality of articles into said bale, said movable means including means at its lower extremities for holding at least one of said articles in insertion relationship with respect to said bale means, said lower extremities and at least one of said articles defining an area substantially the same as the opening in said bale; and means operatively connected to said movable means for successively lowering said movable means into said bale and concurrently holding and accumulating an assemblage of said articles or" dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of said bale said means including means responsive to one of said dimensions for lowering said movable means to the bottom of said bale and releasing said articles therefrom.

7. In apparatus of the class above described, the combination comprising; means for securely holding a bale to be filled with a plurality of articles; movable assembling and holding means positioned above said last named means for lowering a plurality of articles into said bale, said movable means including means at its lower extremities for holding at least one of said articles in insertion relationship with respect to said bale means, said lower extremities and at least one of said articles defining an area substantially equal to the opening in said bale; means operatively connected to said movable means for successively lowering said movable means into said bale and concurrently holding and accumulating an assemblage of said articles of a predetermined height corresponding to the vertical height of said bale, said means including means responsive to the accumulation of an assemblage of said predetermined height for lowering said movable means to the bottom of said bale and releasing said articles; and further means withdrawing said movable means to an initial position.

8. Apparatus for accumulating and lowering a plurality of articles to be assembled into contiguous relationship comprising; a pair of movable article holding and confining members of generally rectangular shape, relatively small thickness, oriented so that the major dimension thereof is substantially vertical and disposed in substantially opposed parallel planar relationship; and a further member mounted at the lower extremity of each of said movable members, said further members being movable into and out of article engaging position in the area between said movable members so that the outer dimensions of said area remain substantially constant.

9'. Apparatus for accumulating and lowering a plurality of articles to be assembled into contiguous relationship comprising; a pair of movable article holding and confining members of generally rectangular shape, relatively small thickness, oriented so that the major dimension thereof is substantially vertical and disposed in substantially opposed parallel planar relationship; and a further deformable member mounted at the lower extremity of each of said movable members, said further members being retractable into cavities in said article holding and confining members and movable into and out of article engaging position in the area etween said movable members so that the outer dimensions of said area remain substantially constant.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said further members are comprised of material of predetermined shape for article engagement when extended from the cavities and deformable to conform to the shape of said cavities when positioned therein.

11. Apparatus for accumulating and lowering a plurality of articles to be assembled into contiguous relationship comprising; a pair of movable article holding and confining members of generally rectangular shape, relatively small thickness, and oriented so that the major dimension thereof is substantially vertical and disposed in substanitally opposed parallel planar relationship; and a further member mounted at the lower extremity of each of said movable members, said further members being movable into and out of article engaging position in the area 1 etwecn said movable members so that the outer dimensions of said area remain substantially constant, said further members also being of substantially the same thickness as said article holding and confining members when out of said article engaging position.

12. Bale filling apparatus comprising; movable means for assembling and holding a contiguous assemblage of articles to be discharged and placed Ln a bale, said means being operable between at least an initial assemblage accumulating position and a final assemblage discharging position; means holding a bale in assemblage receiving position with respect to said movable means; conveyor means for conveying a supply of articles to be assembled and baled onto said movable means; first control means responsive to the initial position of said movable means and connected to said conveyor means for energizing the same when a bale is in assemblage receiving position; second control means connected to said movable means and to said conveyor means for moving said last named means toward said bale upon the presence of at least one article in said movable means, including means energizing said conveyor means and moving said movable means alternately; third control means rapidly moving said movable means into said bale upon the assemblage of a predetermined number of articles in said movable means; and further means responsive to the final position of said movable means for discharging said assemblage and rapidly retuming said movable means to said initial position.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 in which said conveyor means is comprised of a moving belt and an article supporting reciprocating member.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 in which the energizing of said conveyor means is contingent upon the presence of a bale.

15. T he apparatus of claim 12 in which the movement of the movable member is in accordance with at least one dimension of articles being assembled.

16. The method of loading a plurality of deformable articles into a bale which comprises; assembling a multilayered plurality of deformable articles in a contiguous assemblage two dimensions of which are less than two corresponding dimensions of a bale to be loaded; ho ld ing said assemblage at two opposite sides thereof; placing a bale in assemblage eceiving position with the opening thereof in a horizontal plane; lowering said assemblage into said bale and thereafter discharging said assemblage whereby said assemblage substantially fills said bale in said two di ensions.

17. Container loading apparatus, comprising; means holding a container in article receiving position so that the opening of said container is substantially in a horizontal plane; means vertically movable into and out of said container, for accumulating and holding a contiguous assemblage of articles, said assemblage being of sub stantially the size and capacity of said container and said means including retractable members at the lower extremities thereof for maintaining said assemblage of articles within said means; and control means responsive to the presence of said assemblage to lower said means and said assemblage into said container, said control means also being operative to retnact said article engaging members when the bottom of said means is substantially at the bottom of said container and thereafter to withdraw said means.

18 Container loading apparatus comprising; means holding a container in article receiving position so that the opening of said container is substantially in a horizontal plane; means movable verticallv in and out of said container for accumulating and engaging a contiguous assemblage of articles, said means and assemblage being of substantially the size of said opening, s ape and capacity of said container, said means including retractable article engaging members extendable into the interior of said meansso as to engage said articles; and further means responsive to the accumulation of a predetermined number of articles to lower said means and said articles into said container and to retract said members to release said assemblage near the bottom of said container and thereafter to withdraw said means to a position without said container.

19. Container filling apparatus comprising; means nositioning an enclosed container having an opening at its uppermost extremity in article receiving position so that said opening is substantially in a horizontal plane; article inserting and accumulating means movement into and out of said container, said means mounted for vertical I being dimensioned so as to allow movement into and out of said container and to releasably engage and hold the sides of articles received therein; means operative to convey articles to said means so as to provide a multilayered contiguous assemblage of articles within said means of substantially the capacity of said container; and further means responsive to the accumulation of an assemblage of articles of predetermined size to lower said means into said container and to withdraw said means to an article receiving and accumulating position after releasing said assemblage.

20. The method of loading a plurality of deformable articles into a bale which comprises assembling a plurality of deformable articles into a contiguous multilayered assemblage two dimensions of which are less than corresponding dimensions of a bale to be filled; compressing the assemblage of articles and holding the same in frictional engagement at opposed horizontal positions; placing a bale in assemblage receiving position with the opening thereof in a horizontal plane; and lowering said assemblage into said bale and thereafter releasing said assemblage whereby said assemblage substantially fills said bale in said two dimensions.

21. Container filling apparatus, comprising; means positioning an enclosed container having an opening at its uppermost extremity in article receiving position so that said opening is substantially in a horizontal plane; article inserting and accumulating means mounted for vertical movement into and out of said container, said means being dimensioned so as to allow movement into and out of said container and to releasably engage the sides of and hold articles therebetween; means operative to convey articles to said means so as to provide a multilayered contiguous assemblage of articles within said means of substantially the capacity of said container; and further means responsive to the accumulation of an assemblage of articles of predetermined size to lower said means into said container, release said assemblage of articles, and to Withdraw said means to an article receiving and accumulating position.

22. Apparatus for accumulating and lowering a plurality of articles to be assembled into contiguous relationship comprising; a pair of movable article holding and confining members disposed in substantially opposed parallel planar relationship; and a further member mount ed at the lower extremity of each of said movable members, said further members being. movable into and out of article engaging position in the area between said movable members so that the outer dimensions of said area remain substantially constant.

23. Apparatus for accumulating and lowering a plurali'ty of articles to be assembled into contiguous relationship comprising; a pair of movable article holding and confining members disposed in opposed, substantially parallel planar relationship; and further means on the inside surfaces of each of said article holding members operable to releasably engage articles therebetween, said means being retractable into cavities Within said article holding members so that the outer dimensions of the area between said article holding members remains substantially constant.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,413,979 Lamb Jan. 7, 1947 2,815,623 Holstebroe et a1. Dec. 10, 1957 2,951,323 Haab Sept. 6, 1960 2,956,384 Undenwood Oct. 18, 1960 

16. THE METHOD OF LOADING A PLURALITY OF DEFORMABLE ARTICLES INTO A BALE WHICH COMPRISES; ASSEMBLING A MULTILAYERED PLURALITY OF DEFORMABLE ARTICLES IN A CONTIGUOUS ASSEMBLAGE TWO DIMENSIONS OF WHICH ARE LESS THAN TWO CORRESPONDING DIMENSIONS OF A BALE TO BE LOADED; HOLDING SAID ASSEMBLAGE AT TWO OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF; PLACING 